Footsteps #111.

^“This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.” NLT (2 THess2:9-10)

2THess2:9-10 is one of many passages in scripture that warns about the use of the miraculous in the last days – pretended signs and wonders seems to be the devil’s method of deceiving the whole world in the final countdown. Jesus, in His second coming sermon talked about false prophets who would show great signs and wonders leading up to the end. (Matt.24:24). He had previously talked about the appearance of false Christs, just as Paul did in 2Thess2.  A tragic and solemn warning was given by Jesus in the sermon on the mount, early in His ministry when He said, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” Matt 7:21-23NLT. Notice in this passage that the emphasis was on “their” works, and we could well ask then, who actually performed the miracles and provided the prophecies. Rev.13:13 indicates not only a worldwide deception of the world via the miraculous but also a counterfeit Pentecost! Calling fire from heaven is an illusion to Acts 2:3.

Scripture counsels us to be sceptical of the miraculous in the last days because of how the devil will use it. The sick will be healed, miracles will be wrought and it is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the whole world captive according to Rev.13. 13. The miraculous is a very poor foundation upon which to base our faith, because it is so susceptible to counterfeit. The buccaneer of the universe is laying the foundation for his great deception even now. Isaiah counselled us, “Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” Isa 8:20NLT. In the last days we will have to deny our senses and trust in the revealed word of God.